Wimbledon QF: Murray v Ferrer

Andy Murray, who will play David Ferrer in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, says the Spaniard is not a clay-court specialist.

"No, he's not," Murray said. "He won last week on grass [in the Netherlands], so he's won, what, eight matches in a row on the grass? He's been in the semifinals of Australia, I think semifinals of U.S. Open, as well, and now he's starting to play better on grass. I don't see him as a clay-court specialist at all."

Ferrer defeated Murray in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros last month. The two are locked at 5-5 in their career head-to-head. They have never played on grass, and Ferrer has scored four of his wins over the Scot on clay. Murray has won his five matches against Ferrer on hard courts.

Should be a great match, with plenty of long rallies. Andy has to be aggressive the whole match against Ferrer, not passive, as Ferrer will take it to Andy at every given opportunity. Andy's first service percentage is crucial, as Ferrer is such a good returner, and weak second serves will be punished. I think that if Andy plays aggressively, serves well and remains mentally strong, then he will win in straight sets. Come on Andy !

I am getting really allergic to Ferrer. I can't tell if Del Potro was that bad or Ferrer was just that good. Or maybe it was both. I really think this will be the 2nd toughest thus far. Ferrer just don't go away. You have to beat him and that's hard because he has the energy to go on forever and he will make sure he returns every ball. Andy should really be aggressive and blow Ferrer off the court but I don't think that will happen. Andy will probably a bit more careful than that. The only good thing, Andy is the better player and this surface suits his game better than Ferrer. Plus, he has plenty experience playing him. Would be nice if Andy's on from the get go.

Yes, fully agree EJ. DP hit the ball hard but mostly to suit Ferrer's rythym and movement. Andy will give him no rythym. If Andy starts OK can't see him losing a set.

Never mind the chocolate I'll be needing a bottle of wine to keep me calm through this one!

Me too!I am a nervous wreck at the best of times but when he plays the big boys I turn to jelly! Most of the members seem to think he'll win and I take heart from that, but its not unthinkable that David can K.O. our Andy!

After his match with Bagadis ,Andy said he liked playing with such abandonment ,which he did in the last set.i hope he remembers this and does it tmore.

I also hope he remembers how to serve the way he did today.

I'm certainly not under-estimating Ferrer. He seems to be enjoying a new lease of life at the moment and he's such a dogged individual that he just never gives up. I really like him and if it was anyone else but Andy I'd be supporting him!

Very glad the match is on CC. I really don't think the AEC had any choice given the noises of disapproval coming from the media, and it was great to hear so much support for Andy. I just hope the gets the same support from the home crowd.

I'm certainly not under-estimating Ferrer. He seems to be enjoying a new lease of life at the moment and he's such a dogged individual that he just never gives up. I really like him and if it was anyone else but Andy I'd be supporting him!

Very glad the match is on CC. I really don't think the AEC had any choice given the noises of disapproval coming from the media, and it was great to hear so much support for Andy I just hope the gets the same support from the home crowd.

Andy in 4 ...

Ferrer is cool as a cucumber and as hard as granite.I think it could go to 5, they are both hardend warriors.The following is an extract from the Wimby site:

A winner in s’-Hertogenbosch prior to Wimbledon, Ferrer is now on a nine-match winning streak on grass, which is ominous news for Murray, who has lost his last two meetings to the Spaniard, including the quarter-finals of the French Open.

Ferrer acknowledges that “maybe my return is my best weapon in grass court, because in grass court I don't have a really power with my serve” but also note that the change of surface also creates a different challenge against Murray.

“It's going to be very difficult to beat Andy in all surfaces, but in grass court is more difficult,” he said. “He's a favourite player because he's better than me, and tomorrow I will try to do my best. I will have to play my best tennis to beat him.”

Andy will need to come out with both barrels blazing and not get behind.